Animal health - field of cooperation among veterinary medicine, animal breeding and animal management

Maintenance and improvement of animal health are important contributions to the economic efficiency of animal production as well as to animal welfare and consumer protection. Diseases in farm animals will reduce the levels of performance, affect animal welfare, and may interfere with the confidence of consumers and, thus, with the public acceptance of animal production. Modern health management of farm animal herds includes a network of preventive care as well as public veterinary measures and, if neccessary, of therapeutic treatment of animals. Successful health management requires close cooperation among veterinarians, stockmen and animal breeders. Such practical teamwork is supported by interdisciplinary cooperation of veterinary medicine and agricultural sciences. The journal ''Zuchtungskunde'' has, in now 75 volumes, published numerous articles dealing with progress, achievements and new concepts in animal health management. It has, thus, significantly contributed to favourable developments and integrated activities in the important field of farm animal health and welfare.